Strand spinning and twisting



May 23, 195.0 J. J. MCCA'NN Re. 213,232

STRAND SPINNING AND TWISTING MECHANISM INVENT OR. JOHN J McGAN/v,

BY w wm ATTORNEY.

May 23, 1950 .J.`|. MCCANN Re. 23,232

STRAND SPINNING AND TwIsTING NECHANISN Original Filed June 26, 1941 3Sheets-Sheet 2- INVENTOR. JOHN J Mc CA NN,

BY mwa/171 May 23, 1950 J. J. MGCANN STRAND SPINNING AND TwIsTINGMECHANISN 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed June 26, 1941 lNvENToN JOHNJ.- MCCA NN,

v adm ATroRNEY.

eissued 23, IQ

STRAND SPINNING AND TWISTING MECHANISM John J. McCann, Lowell, Mass.

Original No. 2,321,404, dated June 8, 1943, Serial No. 399,836, June 26,1941. Application for reissue January 31, 1950, Serial No. 141,568

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets :I appears in the original patent butforms no part o! this reissue specification; matter printed in italicsindicates the additions made by reissue l 21 Claims.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending applicationSer. No. 237,993, filed August 2, 1939, now Patent No. 2,291,819, datedAugust 4, 1942, and the invention relates to novel mechanism forspinning or twisting a continuous strand of brous material into twistedyarn of superior quality and for conducting and winding the finishedstrand to and into suitable compact units. The invention also concerns asuperior system of drafting and twisting and in cooperation therewithnovel pot spinning and yarn guiding mechanism, all for the purpose ofproducing a superior product and increased production more eiiicientlyand economically than has been heretofore possible.

Continuous woolen yarn drafting is commonly practiced by placing a falseand strengthening twist in the strand while drafting or stretching it,whereby to render the same more uniform, all of which false twist comesout of the strand before it is given the final twist and wound, asdescribed in Patent No. 806,086. My invention contemplates theproduction of a superior yarn by so rotating or turning the strand onits axis as to effect a strengthening-sealing twist therein to seal thethin portions against further elongation in the drawiield, andthereafter twisting the strand while so supporting it that such twistfollows along the strand to the said rotating or turning position in thedrawiield where it unites with or blends into the strengthening-sealingtwist effected by the said turning action. The production of a yarnresulting from these cooperating functions comprises one object of theinvention.

The apparatus includes two or more relatively spaced drawing units foralternately or successively gripping and releasing the y-arn as itpasses from the twisting tube to the twisting and winding mechanism.These units permit the yarn twist to pass therethrough from the windingmechanism upwardly to the sealing twist and permit the yarn with itsresultant twist to pass downwardly therethrough to the twisting andwinding mechanism where it is wound into suitable units, the sealingtwist thereby not only being retained in the final product but beingfurthermore augmented by the cooperating ltwisting action of thetwisting and winding mechanism. The twisting tube illustrated isprovided with strand teetering shoulders and it can be readily removedfor certain twisting operations wherein it is not required, andcooperating with the tube is a strand guide for receiving and conductingthe yarn as it passes from the drawing units.

The invention also incorporates a novel multichamber spinning pot fortwisting and receiving the yarn and winding it into a cheese, andcooperating with the pot is a tube mounted to reciprocate on the strandguide 'and conduct the yarn into the pot, the tube being adapted tocarry a cone thereon within the pot for receiving the yarn cheese incollapsed form thereonto when the pot is stopped and at which time thecone and cheese can be removed from the pot and tube as a unit. Thestrand guide is also constructed to provide easy passage of the yarn andyet prevent objectionable ballooning thereof, thereby permitting greaterspeeds and producing a superior product impossible in spinning mechanismheretofore known.

Another important feature of the invention relates to novel mechanismfor automatically threading and re-threading the yarn into the spinningpot by means of a current of air directed through the strand guidingchannel and so confined as to draw the strand into and through thechannel when its leading end is introduced thereinto. The yarn passesthrough the channel and into the spinning pot and, in

`the preferred form of the invention, the current of tair is induced bya fan attached to the spinning po Other novel features of the inventionrelate to an improved drafting front roll unit quickly releasable toyarn threading position, improved mechanism for releasing the traversingyarnguiding tube from its movement relative to the spinning pot, andsafety mechanism for stopping the machine should a spinning pot get outof balance.

These and other features and advantages of` -my invention will be morereadily understood and appreciated from the following description ofpreferred embodiments thereof selected for purposes of illustration andshown in the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a fragmentaryside elevation, partially in section, of one unit of an apparatus em-.

bodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on lines 3--3 and 4-4 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 isa top end view of the strand guide,

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough and through thecone supporting tube thereon,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the machine,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a top end View of the twisting tube,

Fig. 10 is a side elevation thereof',

Fig. 11 is -a cross-sectional view through the strand drawing rolls,

Fig. 12 is a view through the drawing roll unit taken on line l2--I2 ofFig. 7, but showing the rolls in open position,

Fig. 13 is a sectional View through the twisting tube supporting whirl,

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary front elevation of the machine,

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary plan view of the V-bel-t drive for the spinningpots, taken on line |-I5 of Fig. 14,

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the cone carrying tube and illustratingin longitudinal section a cheese-receiving cone thereon,

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 11e-u ef .1.6.

'Fig-v 18 is a wiring diagram of the spinning pet Safety eentrel Themachine illustrated comprises a frame Ill carrying a plurality of strandspinning and twisting of which one unit iS illustrated in Fig. 1. Eachstrand I2 to be spun into yarn passes from the deiivery rolls H into adraweld and to and through a twister tube I5 loosely resting by gravitywithin a whirl l5 rotatably supported by roller v bearings on a stud l1.Beneath and in alignment with the tube are two relatively spaced drawingeach comprising ,a roll 5 with a continuous circular periphery and acooperating roll 4 having two cQDlJeIating peripheral portions 6 and twoslabbed off portions l. The strand I2 passes yfrom delivery rolls intothe tube l5 in position to be engaged and teetered by shoulders formedby slotting the topend of the tube at I8, these shoulders causing arapid vibrating or trembling action on the strand and aiding thedrafting thereof, rIhis action by the shoulders is commonly calledteetering After passing from the tube, the rotation of which placesstrengthening-,sealing twist therein, the strand is gripped continuouslyby the drawing units, each unit being adapted to grip the strand whilethe other unit is released therefrom. While I have herein illustratedtwo drawing units 4-5 operatingalternately to grip and release the yarnstrand, it will be apparent that more than two such units can beemployed. The rolls 4 are driven synchronously by gearing illustrated inFig. and hereinafter described and the units are so constructed that thestrand is never fully released but is gripped by one unit at all times.

Carried on the frame beneath the units 4-5 is a tubular guide 2Dreleasably supported at its topr end in the frame by a clamping screw2|. A tube 22 mounted to reciprocate on and over the bottom end portionof the guide extends into a spinning pot 24 and is provided witharestricted exit 25 through its bottom end. The rotation of the potspins or twists the yarn strand as will be understood. A partition 26extends longitudinally through the guide 20 and divides it into twochannels. One channel 28 is open throughout the length Of the tube forreceiving and conducting the strand therethrough with a minimum ofballooning as the yarn passes through the tube. The partition has arelatively long body portion having a thread guiding face locatedsubstantially at the center of the tubular guide (Fig, 6) and a portionat the top end thereof slanting laterally away from said center andproviding a relatively angular surface leading to and cooperating withthe first-named surface to guide the strand into and through the tube.Since the spinning yarn cannot pass beyond the partition toward theother channel, the ballooning tendency in that direction will bedefinitely eliminated and, since ballooning is restricted, the strandwill remain substantially at the center of the spinning axis where thereis a minimum of centrifugal action. Thus ballooning of the yarn withinthe tube is substantially eliminated while leaving the channel 23 fullyopen to the passage of the yarn and a conducting air current hereinafterdescribed, the restricted exit 25 also cooperating to restrictballooning of the yarn. The other channel 29 is closed at its top end bythe top end of the partition (Figs. 5 and 6) and may be used to conductsteam downwardlyV into the spinning pot 24 to condition the yarn thereinas disclosed in my said copending application.

It may be explained that ballooning er whirling of ,the strand about acenter causes tnSion 0n the ,Strand due to air resistance and frictionalresistance if the rStrarni comes Contact with a wall or other surfacethat not at or near its Spinning axis. This resistance 1S veryobjectionable and particularly since in Spinning, (1)` it .Causes theouter .layers of nbre to be Wrapped spirally about the strand wherebyproducing an inferior yarn, ,and thus, prevents the strand from beingtwisted around its own axis in a .manner to produce a round, uniform andhigh-grade yarn, and 2) since the air resistance increases approximatelyin proportion to the square of the strand velocity, the ballooningtension set up by the resistance limits the speed of twisting andresults in breakage of fibre and of the strand itself. Conning of thestrand .to the central twisting axis of the yarn permits uniformtwisting of the fibers about the yarn with a minimum of theobjectionable results produced by ballooning when the yarnis twistedwithout being thus confined.

The spinning pot 24 is supported for rotation in the, frame preferablyon a self-balancing spindle '30 provided with a V-belt whirl 3|. The pothas an open top chamber `32 and a smaller bottom chamber 34 with acentrally disposed opening 3 5 therebetween, a notched opening 36extending laterally outward of the. opening 35 for a purpose hereinafterdescribed. The bottorn portion of the pot beneathv the chamber 34 iscored out to provide a plurality of ian blades 31 and openings 38between the blades, the construction being such as to draw airdownwardly through the pot when, the lpot is rotated in eitherdirection. When the tube 22 is dropped into the opening 35, asillustrated in Fig. 1, air is drawn downwardly through. the yarn channelin the tube 22 and guideY 2.0,. The. chamber 34 is substantially smallerin diameter thanvthe chamber 32 and therefore generates a much smallercentrifugal force ontlle starting or leading ends of the strands whichmay not have the tie/iet and thereforev the Strength necessary to twistand wind this leading, end at high speed within the large chamber 32.

The tube 22 carries a grooved collarl 39 on its top end adapted to beengaged by the yoke 4U of'a traversing mechanism. This mechanism.includes a vertical rod 4l supporting a horizontal rod 42 on which theyoke is, swiveled, ar spring 43 on the rod 4,2 normally forcing the yokeagainst e step Pin 33T and into. engagement with.

aegee the collar. The yoke is universally mounted for free rotationabout thehorizontal axis 4'2 and about the'vertical axis 4I whereby toeliminate any binding action relative to the tube and permit freerotation of the tube. Movement of the yoke about the vertical rod 4Ialso permits swinging of the yoke to a rearward position when dofng thelled cone 41. Mechanism (not illustrated) is provided for reciprocatingthe rod 4I vertically whereby to conduct the exit end 25 0f the tubethrough the pot and form the yarn cheese 44 by centrifugal action duringthe spinning operation. The tube slides telescopically over a collar 45on the bottom end of the guide and when the yoke is forced rearwardlyagainst the `spring 43 and thus released from the collar 39 the tubedrops to the position permitted by the collar 35 'in which the bottomend of the tube projects into the chamber 34. The tube 22 hasfrictionally mounted thereon a conical element 46 adapted to receive andsupport a paper cheese-receiving cone 41, a detent 48 being provided onthe element for engaging a hole 49 in the cone to hold the conepositioned on the element.

The rolls 4 of the drawing units and the delivery rolls I4 are driven bya motor 5I! having a V-belt connection 5I to a variable speed sheave 52connected by a V-belt 53 to a sheave '54 on a shaft 55. A gear 55 onthis shaft is in mesh with two pinions 51 on shafts 58 extending thelength of the machine and carrying the rolls 4. A sheave 59 on the otherend of one of the shafts 58 is connected by a V-belt 6I] to one side ofa variable speed sheave 62. A V-belt 63 connects the other side ofsheave 62 to a sheave 64 on a shaft 85 comprising the lower element ofthe delivery rolls I4. The upper and cooperating elements of thedelivery rolls comprise individual rolls having end trunnions 66 restingon arms 61 of the frame I0, these individual rolls resting by gravity onthe shaft 55 in a manner adapted to grip the strands I2 therebetween.The sheaves 52 and B2 are of the speed change type, their intermediateelements 52' and 62 being adjustable axially to vary the activediameters of their belt-engaging grooves. Thus the relative speeds ofthe delivery rolls and drawing rolls can be immediately and convenientlychanged merely by adjusting theelements 52 and 62', and the yarn twistand draft is thereby varied.

The upper portion of the frame II) (Fig. 1) is of U-shaped construction68 about the drawing units 4 5 and housed therein and supported on thetwo shafts 58 are a plurality of U-shaped units 1D. Each unit 10,comprising two end plates 1I connected by a bar 12, is disposed betweenand somewhat beneath two adjacent twister tubes I5. The drawing rolls 4are located outside of the plates 1I and cooperating therewith are therolls 5 on the ends of shafts 14 mounted in slots 1-5 in the plates formovement toward and from the shafts 58. A rod 16 located midway betweenthe plates 1I extends loosely through the bar 12 and through a plate 18.The plate 18 is located forwardly of and spans the shafts 14 and and alike plate 19 is fixed on the rod and spans the shafts rearwardlythereof. A spring 80 on the rod and resting against a nut 8l .keeps theplate 18 in resilient contact with the shafts 14 and a spring 82 on therod and resting against the bar 12 is adapted to move the rod and plate19 forwardly to the position of Fig. 12 wherein the rolls -5 areseparated from the rol1s4. Alever 83-has a bifurcated portion pivoted tothe rear end of the rod and provided with right angular portions 84 forengaging the bar 12. When the lever is vin the position of Fig. '7 thespring 80 holds the rolls 5 in strand gripping contact with the rolls 4and when the lever is tripped to the position of Fig. 12 (and brokenlines in Fig. '7) the spring 82 moves the shafts 14 and rolls 5 awayfrom the rolls 4 in which position a strand can be dropped downwardlybetween the rolls 4 and 5. When the lever is again brought to theposition of Fig. '1, the strand is gripped between the rolls.

Spinning and twisting machines employ a. large number of units andmechanism, such as individual motors, for driving the spinning pots orspindles has heretofore presented a substantal problem and a large itemof expense. An important feature of my invention relates to an extremelysimple and inexpensive V-belt drive which performs this operation. Bythe employment of this drive, all the twister tubes I5 are driven by asingle motor 8E together with a single V-belt 81 and all the spinningpots 24 are driven by a single motor 88 together with a single V-belt89. These motors are mounted on one end of the frame IIJ andthe reachesof each belt engage the sheaves IB and 3| to be driven. The reaches 90of the belt 89 extend along the sheaves or whirls 3| and cooperatingtherewith are idlers 9| supported on posts 92 adjustable in slots 93 ofthe frame. Two sheaves are located between adjacent idlers and theidlers are adjustable to a position in which they hold the V-belt indriving contact with the sheaves, it being understood that the V-shapedsurfaces of the V-belt provides a substantial driving area in wedgingcontact with the sheaves.

The spinning pots 24 are driven at speeds approximating 6,000 R. P. M.and they are so mounted that they normally remain centeredand inbalance. the pots get out of balance, it is desirable that that themachine should be stopped and the trouble immediately corrected. Myinvention contemplates means for automatically checking the spinningpots in this respect. One side of the control circuit to the motor 88 isgrounded to the frame II! at (Fig. 18) and the other side is connectedto a bar 96 mounted on but insulated from the frame at 94. This barextends along the spinning pots and provides a contact element locatedlaterally outside of and adjacent to a peripheral portion of eachspinning pot. If a spinning pot gets out of balance, it will contact thebar and operate through an electro-magnetically controlled switch in thebox 91 to reduce the speed of or stop the motor.

The operation of the machine is substantially as follows:

The variable speed sheave 52 is set to producev the rolls 4 5 grip thestrand therebetween.-

Means (not illustrated) is provided in connection with the rods 4I fordropping all the tubes 22 to the position of Fig. l wherein the tubessubstantially close the openings 35 when starting thel With the strandsgripped by the` strand ends.

However, should one or more of rolls 4--5 and the tubes 22 dropped,v thetwister tubes and'- drafting` rolls' are started: Rotation of the rolls-45 passes the strands-downwardly'into the guidesf 2U: and rotation ofthe spinning pots draws currents of. airk downwardly through the guides;andtubes whereby conducting the strands tothe chambers 34': Thetraversing mechanism is; then` set in motion whereupon the tubes 22 arereci'procatedr vertically* within the pot .chambers 32'. Whenthe-tubes'raise from the` chambers 3'4 the strands spass into thenotches 36' and are thereafter wound into cheeses 414* by centrifugalforce.

The' surfacespeed ofr the drawing units 4 5* is somewhat faster: thanthe' surface speed of the delivery roils Il!n andL 65 tof effectstretching' or drafting of thestrandtherebetween, the shoulders atu IB"causing-a; rapid Vibrating ortrernbling action oni the strand' whichaction commonly called teet`ering;" The twister.Y tube I5" gives astrengthening-sealing' twist to the strand' in a draweld between the;gripped positions I4" andv 4 5 whereby twistingy and strengthening thestrand at the weaker spots and' causingfelongation to takeplace at thethickerspot's, thistwi'st concentrating at the .shoulders I8 anddiminishing; therefrom to therohs |14;

The' spinning potsi 24.'. can be.. rotated in either. directionby thereversible motor 88j to get. right ori'eit hand'twist. The rotary speed"of. the spin.- ningpots` will in any case bel substantially greater.thanK that of the twister tubesand' in all;cases. the pot spinningtwisttravels, up the. strand through the units 4-5' and? cooperates with andblends into the strengthening and sealing, twist. When one' unit? 4 5Yreleases' its grip on the strand the twist inr the strand passes throughsuchuni't' to the other unit and, when th'e other unitl releases itsgrip, this twist' passes further: therethrough. alongj the strand'. Whenthe spinning. pot. i'sro.- tated-"in a direction oppositetothat"ofthetwis-ter tube; the-pot twistingA action4 cooperates withthe. twisterW tube' to' concentrate between the units 4;'-5 andtheishoulders I8a twist greater. thanthe twist in; that' portion of* thestrand between. the shoulders. and. the delivery rolls. I4I and'. this.greater twist is in the same directioniasthepot twi'st'beneathv theunits 4-51 |lhe. characteristics iinparted to the yarnV byY twisting andteetering. action of the twister tube are retainedin the. t-wistedfyarnas it passes downwardly through. the. unitsL 41-5 and into thespinning pot and. the. greatest: concentration'. ofi twist iocated.'below theunitsi- The` apparatus is so constructed' andi adllsted thatgthe 'pot spinner: twist. travels upwardly. through thet units @-5"sufiicientlyj to properly concentrate the twist" between these. units;and the point-of contact ofthe strand with thetwi'ster.

tube and this concentrated twist is in one and'r thesame directionregardless of the' relative. rota.-l t'ionsof` the twister tube andspinner pot.. Forr thermore, when4 the tube and' pot. are rotated 'inthe same directions thek twisty extends, upwardly in the; same directionto' the delivery rjoll's.. I'4'. Thus, in either case; the. twister tubeand pot spinner cooperate: to concentrate. the. twist4- be..-tweentheunits' #-5 andthe point` of contactl ofthe strandAi with thetwister tube to produce. even yarnthat Awill not break excessively,.and'. leaves ther d-'raftingiportion of" the strandbetweenv the twistertuberand the delivery. rolls, I4. lightly twisted? to` facilitatedrafting. Most. of.' the. draft.-

ing; or elongatingi ofi theV strand thereforel takes place1 between thelshoulders. IBIandf the rolls. Il.

. 8 and, the twisted portion of. the strand beneath the shoulders; r3*remains as' permanent" twist' as the. strand passes through theapparatus and into. thespinningpot'.

It. shouldl` be; understood that the resultant twists and; the..directions. andi concentrations thereof in'. the various parts of thedrawneld are so dependent' upon various factors; such as"v the relativespeeds and' directions of rotation of" the spinning pot and; twistertubeand speed oistr'and feed, that a definite andfixedstatementrelativeto. the effects. produced cannot" be made;L vThese factors. will bevaried, in accordance with the character of'yarn's' being operated upon'and the desired characteristifcsk of they final product and' suchvariations can substantially eiiectV the onerating, functions and thenai product; Such. statements relative to these effects', as' are made'herein areimade from observation. of amachine now in operation and?embodying my` invention.,

In continuous spinning operations. heretofore known the strandis given afalse twistv which effected; by supporting the strand at two; spaced'points defining. a drawiield" therebetween and twisting the strandintermediateljv ofsuc points. This twistingr is termed false for the'reason that none.. of' such twist' passes into the strand beyond eitherof the twoy points'. nor does.: any. permanent twist' pass` into.this'eld; In my ap.- paratus one. of these.; points comprises.. the.units 4 5 which permit' the passage ofv twist froxnthe. spinning` pot Vinto the' drawfield'. whereby. the strengthening.. and sealing twist'therein becomes permanent'twist dueto the twisting cooperating of thespinningpot. The twisting anditeetering. action resulting' from. the.twisting of; the. strand by; the tube It causes the. fibers ofi theyarnt'o project outwardly of the strand whereby producing a very'desirable soft, bulky andwoolly eii'ecn and such. eiiect'l i'sApermanently retained. in yarn produced by` rny machine. sincethestrengthening, andi sealing twist is noti. allowed. to come outof thestrand.. In yarn. produced', by the falsef' twisting, methodv thisdesirable: effect and?. these; characteristics are. l'ostl since. theialse` twist, whizhiiolzlsthese. characteristics allowedlto.- go.entirely. out of.' the. strandwhicl reformed; by thesubsequent'permanent twisting operation. thereon'.`

The. air current'` effectedv by the fan 3.7? aids: the yarn in its,passager throughtk the.V guide and tuberintof the spinning.. pot and.the partition 26" servesto connethef channel.l 28..t`o at relativelysmailgand free passagefand prewentsobjectionable.- ballooning of`th-eyarni During; thet spinning. op'-2 erationA the. tube.- 22-togetherwith;` the cone. 4r'I- thereonis reciprocatect vertically.`whereby bui-1de ing, upfa, cheese 44: of.- yarn within.v the-.zrotating; pot:- as. will be: understood.L When the` cheeses@ hai/.ereached. the desired size; the.: tubes 22-aree droppedto the position'.oft Fig. l: andith'e machine," isstnpped1V They cheeses: thereupon;collapse` onto` their cones 4.`l which are` free to.r rotate; with..ythel pots. andV the cheeses together with1 the cones` area then removed;from the; pots and.. emptyY conesx substituted therefor on'. the.`elements; 46.

It w-illl bei. noted that eachtime an tube 22,I is; droppedf intey itschamber; 34;. and. withdrawn;l therefromr the: strand: projecting from;tha end" off the tubeVT passes intoethe.- notch 36... lu'rth'ermore;Kit, during the spinningof ay cheese; a strand If2 breaks or comes.. tofAits endethei operator: pushes?l the:l yoke 40f rearward1yf,. permittedby the spring; 43whereupenetheftubefzz dropsnntothe chamber;` 3A?- and.carries? the end; ofL thet strand?. thai notch 3B. Likewise, the newstrand end is passed into the notch after it has been threaded into thechamber 34 and the tube again raised from this chamber. It will also benoted that the initial portions 98 of the strand ends which have notreceived full twist are retained in the chamber 34. When the cheese isremoved from the pot, these strand ends project outwardly therefrom inradial alignment at one end of the cheese and their relative radialpositions indicate which ends should be tied together to unite thecheese into a single strand. When the initial end portions have beenremoved and the ends tied, the cheese is ready for use.

An important feature of the invention relates to the novel and rapidthreading of strands into the machine, resulting in the elimination ofimperfections in the fabric and permitting operation of the machine atspeeds substantially greater than has been heretofore possible, the aircurrent effected by the fan 31 contributing very substantially to theseresults. In spinning mechanism heretofore known it has been necessary tolimit the operation to a speed at which broken strands could be piecedup without interrupting the operation of the machine and such pieced-upends have produced objectionable piecing and imperfections in the finalproduct. The quick and semi-automatic threading permitted by my improvedmechanism eliminates such necessity for speed limitation and therebymakes great increase of production possible. When a strand I2 breaks inmy machine the operator releases the yoke 4'0 whereupon the tube 22drops into the opening 35. He then drops the loose end of the strand bygravity into and through the tube l5 which he grasps and holdsv fromrotation, whereupon the units 4-5 pass it downwardly into the guide 20and, the tube 22 being in the position of Fig. l, the air current drawsthe strand downwardly into the chamber 34. Thus re-threading is effectedwithout requiring the uniting of the two broken and faulty end lengthsand without limiting the speed of the machine. The combination of aneasy threading tube and drawing rolls, thread guide, and centrifugalspinning ipot with its lower chamber 34 and fan makes it unnecessary tojoin the yarn during spinning and permits the removal of faulty ends andimperfect lengths when tying the ends, which lengths might otherwise beincorporated in the yarn package and the fabric made therefrom.

Spinning by the use of centrifugal force and with a minimum ofballooning in accordance with my invention enables the strand to be spunwith a light tensioning and produces a yarn having permanently retainedtherein characteristics which are developed during the drafting.Furthermore, the strand in the cheese is of full twist, substantiallyfree of faulty lengths and has a minimum of knots. These characteristicsare quite in contrast to cheeses heretofore commonly prepared from smalltwo-ounce bobbins of spun yarn, twenty-five of which are commonly1ncorporated into the forming of a cheese. That method of spinninglimits the spun package to two ounces of yarn and twenty-five suchpackages are thereafter wound into a cheese, requiring twenty-five doingoperations in the spinning and twenty-five tying operations in thewinding. My invention not only eliminates forty-eight of these fiftyoperations but my product'is of substantially superior quality and thenumerous knots and imperfect lengths present in yarn spun by previousmethods are eliminated'.

It should be understood that the characteristics of the spinning productdepend largely on the drafting and for this reason it will be founddesirable and necessary to vary the type of drafting in ways well knownto the art when different types of yarn are desired such as worstedyarn. Furthermore, it may be desirable to twist or ply two or morestrands. It should be understood that my Epot twisting and windingapparatus is adapted to serve all such cases, regardless of the type oreven absence of drafting In such cases the strand is delivered axiallyinto the guide tube 2U, no thread eye being employed, andA the twistinserted by the pot is allowed to run back to the strand deliverymechanism, thus greatly reducing possible breakage of the strand. Itshould also be noted that the restrictioncof the exit opening throughthe tube 22 at 25, together with the partition 26 in the tube 20,enables me to more than double the rotary speed of,

the pot 24, this result being due to the fact thatsuch construction verysubstantially reduces ballooning of the yarn whereby reducing thetension thereon which causes the yarn to break. In mechanism which Ihave constructed and operated in accordance with the invention as hereindisclosed, I have employed a spinning pot of 6" inside diameter and haverotated it as high as 9,060 R. P. M.

It will be noted that the path of movement of the strand from the pointI8 in the drawiield to the strand exit 25 within the spinning potis ina, straight and substantially vertical line. Such construction andarrangement utilizes gravity in4 supporting and aiding passage of thestrand and permits the pot spinning twist to pass directly anduninterruptedly up the strand to the nip of the lower rolls 4-5 withouttouching any guideV or element which would obstruct such action. It isapparent that such action can take place only by the employment of aspinning pot as the twisting and winding unit. The substitution of ringor cap spinning would necessarily require the employment of a centrallydisposed guide or eyelet above the winding and twisting unit and suchguide `would seriously impede the upward passage of the twist along thestrand as will be clearly apparent. The employment of a spinning pot inthis combination is therefore essential to the full enjoyment of myinvention. Attention is furthermore called to the fact that theemployment of a spinning pot and the straight line path of movement ofthe strand makes the automatic threading of the strand possible, andthe'construction of my spinning pot 24 with its bottom chamber 34permits the bringing of the strand along the straight line Apathdirectly into vsuch chamber whereby facilitating the separation of Y thebad starting ends from the properly twisted yarn in the main portion ofthe pot. This arrangement and the automatic threading also pro'- videsfor the rapid piecing up of the strands which in turn makes high speedoperation of the front rolls 4-5 possible. Having thus disclosed myinvention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States is: i

1. Twisting mechanism comprising a i'lxed strand receiving and guidingtube, a spinning pot below the tube in position to receive a strandtherefrom, a second tube arranged for longitudinal reciprocation overthe strand exit end of the rst tube, and means for removably supportingyon the second tube. and within the. not a tube adapted to reoeiye. in.collapsed. form thereonr a cheese. formed eentriugally from a. strandpass ing, through the. tubes and into the pot.r

2i.. Twistine. mechanism comprising a spinning. not. having. the side.wallv or. its chamber tapering outward-upwardly and having its top endonen to and commensurate with said wa11a strand. guidE ing. tubularmember extending. downwardly into the pot, and a removable yarnreceiving tube thereomthe tubular member having a. strand exit itsbottom end" from which. the strand is, wound into a cheese inthe chamberby centrifugal force, the, tube beine adapted'. to receive. ther cheese.co1- lapeedthereonto when the. not rotation is. stopped. andthecollapsed cheese and tube being removable. lliiewardlyl trom. the.tubular member as. a

3; 'twisting mechanism comprising av spinning. not a strand .guidingtubular member extending downwardly into the not and adapted to supportthereon a yarn receiving tube. the tubular mem.- ber having a strand'exit at its bottom end from which the strand` is wound; into a cheese inthe.

chamber by centrifugal force, the tube being adapted to receive thecheese collapsed there'- onto when the pot, rotation is stoppedv and thecollapsed cheese and tube being removable from the tubular member as aunit,4 andv meansY for effecting a current of air through the tubesand.v

into. the pot ina direction to draw the strand into the not- 4; StrandVtwisting mechanism, comprising a guide, a spinning pot therebeneathprovidedwithv a top chamber for receiving and winding a strand into acheese by centrifugal force and a relatively smaller chamber beneath thetop chamber, the pot having a centrally disposedI openingl between thetwo chambers, tubular means mounted` for reciprocation on the guide andhaving a restricted. strand conducting exit;

at its bottom end*L the tubular means being Inovable to a positionextending its exit-endf into said',

opening, and means for eiectinga strandconductingcurrentI of air throughthe tubular' means.

5. The mechanism defined in claim 4 ingwhicir the exitV end of thetubular means is of'. a size substantially closing said opening whenmoved thereinto.

L6'. Mechanism for" twisting a continuous strand ofy fibrous material',comprising a xed 'tubulary guide having a strand' conducting channel'longitudinally therethrough, means for-iced'- ing thestrand intotheschannel', means for inducingsY a current of air through the channellinthe direction of movement oi' the stra-ndi, andl a reti'rryf'potllocated to receive the stra-nd from the-- guide and wind it into apredetermined unit;}

7.' A yarn guideA comprising a tube, a partition within` and: extendingvlongitudinally ofthen tube and dividingI the. tube into a. plurality.`of chan-- nels, one of the channels bei-ng open throughout.

theI lengthol: the tubeffor guiding. acstrandf therethmngl'n and anotherchannel; beingr closed' at its` toniendzand.- onen anita-bottom endz..

8. In a strand twisting mechanism,. a tubular strand; guide.. havingabutment; means; within and extending substantially diametricallyacrossand;

along the strand passage. within the: guide; for

limiting, ballooning: of the.v strand.. and; a. tubular member mountedfor reciprocation. over oneV end of; the@ guide having a. restrictedstrand con.- ducting; exit through. the end. thereof whichL nro.-z Jectsbeyond-.the guider.

9;. Strand. twisting mechanism comprising; a.

strand conducting guide, a spinning pot there- I2 beneath andi having acentrallyr disposed' opening. at the, bottom, and; tubular means mountedfox; reoiprocation on the guide and'having. a. restricted. strandconducting exit. at its bottom. end.. the tubular means.. being. movableto a` position extending its, strand exit end into saidopening.

1'0. The mechanism djeiined in claim 9 plus. traversing. meanscooperating with the, tubular means and including Ineansso engagingthetubular means. from one, side laterally thereof as. tobe. instantlydetachable for permitting the tubular means to drop into thel saidopening. at. the bottom ofthe spinning pot.

11. In strand twisting mechanism,r a guide, a tubular member mounted iorreciprocati'on, thereover, andtraversing mechanism therefor in.- cludinga yoke engageable with the tubular member and means mounting the yokefor universali movement about axes. parallel with and right angular tothe tubular member.

12. In strand twisting mechanism, a. strand guide, a tubular membermountedA for reciprocationy thereover, traversingl mechanism thereforincluding a yoke engageabl'e with the tubular member and a spring'soholding the yokeenga-ged-` with the tubular member thatv rearwardmovement' of the yoke against the action of thespring releases the yokefrom the= tubular member;

13-'. A rotary spinning pot having a top cham` ber for receiving andWinding a strand into a cheese by centrifugal force and a relativelysmaller chamber beneath and opening intthe top. chamber and outwardlythrough. the bottom portionofthe pot.

14. Thel spinning potldeiinedji in= claim. i3where in the twov chambersare= in communicationthrough an opening comprising a-.relatiuely largecentrally disposed portion having alaterally dis'- posed Enotch-.likelportionllg yarn receiving" notch. at; theiunctiofr of the.y twochambers'.

15;. A rotary spinning pot having .a chamber for receiving and windinga.strandf into; a. cheese. by' centrifuga-1 force, and a; fan Carried byvvthe; spinning pot, for. drawing a; current ofV air-downwardly throughthe pot when the. pot; is rotated..

16-. Mechanism for spinning a continuous: strand of brous material-, 4comprising; a twister` tube-.adapted to receivea strand, meansfortoeter.-V ing the.N strand, -Xedtubularmeans oi substantialf lengthhaving a restricted strand receivingr chan nel therethrough, beneath:and adapted toreceivc the. strandl from the twister tube and. limitballoon-l ing thereof, a spinning pot beneath., the, tubular means. forreceiving the strand therefrom and twisting the. strand and winding it.into acheese.y strand carrying. tubular means. telescoped over the xedtubular means, and extending` into.;k thespinni'ng potmeans forsupporting and. traversing. the second named tubular means, axiallywithin the. spinning potiand means. carried byl the. spin.` ning potrordrawing a current of. air through the. strand" channels, of both tubularmeans andtheV spinning pot.

1'7'; Mechanism for twisting a continuousN strand of fibrous material.,comprising means for feeding the strand; a tubular guide located' toreceive the strand, rotarypot? strand, twisting and winding meansllocated toV receive the strand'from the guide and wind'thesameinto apredetermined unit', and a partition-within and extending along andvacross the tubular guid'efand forming'one-wa'l'i" of an unobstructed'strand# passage through the guide.

18; The mechanism definedI in claimI in whichv the saidl partition has-af rel'.'rt'ivel'yIT longIl body portion having a thread guiding face1ocated substantially at the center of the tubular guide and a portionat the top end thereof slanting laterally away from said center andproviding a relatively angular surface leading to and cooperating withthe first-named surface to guide the strand into and through the tube.

19. Mechanism for spinning a continuous strand of iibrous material,comprising means for holding and continuously delivering the strand t0 adraweld, a rotary twisting tube in the drawfield spaced from said meansand adapted to receive therefrom the strand into one end of the tube,means for teetering the strand, and strand drawing, twisting and windingmeans arranged to receive the strand from the other end of the tube andturn the strand on its axis to place twist therein extending upwardlyfrom the winding position at the bottom end of the strand to and intothe drawfleld.

20. Mechanism for spinning a continuous strand of iibrous material,comprising a spinning pot,means for holding and continuously deliveringthe strand downwardly from a point located substantially above thespinning pot along a predetermined vertical path extending in a straightline from said point to the center of the spinning pot, and an abutmentlocated substantially at and extending along and parallel with said pathin position limiting ballooning of the strand.

21. The mechanism deiined in claim 2O plus means for teetering thestrand, and means comprising a plurality of strand drawing units inspaced relation along and gripping the strand at said path between saidpoint and the abutment, the last-named means being constructed andarranged continuously to grip the strand and said units beingconstructed and arranged to grip and release the strand in apredetermined sequence.

22. Mechanism for twisting a continuous strand of fibrous material,comprising a rotary spinning pot open at its top and bottom ends, atubular guide extending into the pot and having a strand conductingchannel longitudinally therethrough, means feeding the strand into thechannel, and means ,for inducing a current of air through the channeland pot in the direction of movement of the strand, the rotary pot beingadapted to receive the strand from the guide and wind it into apredetermined unit.

JOHN J. MCCANN.

No references cited.

